There's no getting around the fact that 2017 brought massive change to the Now News Group sports desk. Our staff was cut from six writers to two, forcing us to say goodbye to long-tenured, passionate sports writers who were practically icons in the communities they covered.

Our operation also experienced a physical relocation to a new office, and our strategy to cover prep sports changed. No longer would we have the manpower to capture as many game results as before, and our attention shifted to finding bigger stories that reached across the specific fandoms of each individual sports program.

It's been tough; nobody is going to lie about that. But I truly believe it opened a door, too, giving us the urgency to find those stories and the space to tell them without relying solely on the schedule or the outcomes to guide us. For me, personally, it has allowed me to pursue content that heretofore hasn't been a top priority, and I think that's helping us find new audiences while continuing to engage the old ones.

It's not the same as before, and I know that's disappointing to many readers. But I've also been encouraged by the number of positive words we've received, too, and it gives me hope that we are onto something with our new way of covering prep sports.

With that in mind, here are the stories that I was particularly fond of telling in 2017, not including some of my fun annual pursuits like 68 Degrees of Separation (chronicling a Wisconsin tie to every team in the NCAA Tournament) or the Suburban 16 (looking at the top current athletes in the area competing beyond the high-school level).

Feb. 28: An oral history of Germantown's Super Tuesday loss to Appleton East

Appleton East High School's Caleb Zeegers is fired up as players and fans carry him on their shoulders after he scored the game winning basket in overtime to win 54-52 against Germantown during the WIAA Division 1 super sectional basketball game Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at the Kolf Sports Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.(Photo: Dan Powers, The Post-Crescent)

This is the 2017 story of which I'm most proud. Including interviews with Zak Showalter and Luke Fischer as well as coaches and players from both sides, I pieced together a look back at the highly controversial "Super Tuesday" game, unique already for its existence (the WIAA ditched the format after one year) and complicated by a clock issue that may have helped Appleton East win the game. With video, audio and great photos from the event, it was a blast to go back and re-capture that 2011 game and note what came after, when Germantown went on a record 69-game winning streak as a means of moving past the tough loss, with three consecutive state championships to follow.

March 26: Saying goodbye to Todd Frohwirth

Mukwonago girls basketball coach Todd Frohwirth talks to his players durning a time out late in a playoff game in 2013. Frohwirth led MHS to the state-championship game, where it fell to Milwaukee Riverside. Frohiwrth, 54, was reportedly found dead March 26, 2017.(Photo: File photo)

This doesn't fall under the heading of "story I loved to tell" necessarily because it's heartbreaking. At age 54, Frohwirth — with whom I had worked when he was girls basketball coach at Mukwonago High School — succumbed to cancer.

The silver lining was the number of people who loved and respected Frohwirth and had kind things to say. I was delighted to work with him because I remember him from my youth when he was a side-winding reliever for the Baltimore Orioles. He was one of my absolute favorite baseball players, both because there weren't many Milwaukee natives in the Majors and his delivery represented a fascinating novelty. When he became a basketball coach in the area, it was a rare moment when I got to meet one of my childhood heroes, and not only that, got to talk to him regularly.

Frohwirth had a lengthy career coaching high-school basketball in the area, once leading Whitefish Bay to the state final and also coaching boys hoops. He was supremely laid back in a field where that temperament is hard to find.

May 9: Greg Malling is back

We joked in the office when Oconomowoc football coach Ryan McMillen left to become athletics director at Muskego that the school would ask Greg Malling to come back to the area. We had no idea it would actually come to pass, even if it made sense. After all, OHS athletics director Kevin Flegner had been AD at Arrowhead when he hired Malling there, and Malling subsequently led the Warhawks to four straight state-title games and two championships.

Malling left Arrowhead and spent the 2016 season at a high school in Minnesota, and his return was one of the biggest stories of 2017. Adding to the intrigue was that Oconomowoc, not far from his old haunts in Hartland, was moving into the Classic 8 Conference for the first time, and Arrowhead will be on the regular-season schedule every year going forward.

I had the story ready to go but had been asked to wait until the kids at both schools could be informed of Malling's transfer. I was eager to push the "send" button on the story, but I found myself stuck in bad-weather traffic that morning when I got confirmation that I could publish. I wound up sending the story while I was behind the wheel of my car on Blue Mound Road in Brookfield. Bad strategy, I realize. It was a frenetic morning.

June 3: Kettle Moraine stories at state track

Buy Photo

Jared Jones of Kettle Moraine finished first in the pole vault.(Photo: Michael McLoone for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Covering state track and field is annually one of my favorite professional pursuits. Every year guarantees some type of thrill, and I produced more than 20 stories covering the many talented athletes. For me, Kettle Moraine possessed the best tales. Pole vaulter Jared Jones, who took second, was leaving almost immediately for basic training to become a Marine. And in the final event of the meet, the 4x400-meter relay, KM anchor Ben Psicihulis delivered a thrilling anchor leg to rally his Lasers to a state championship. It's a performance that will be talked about for years.

July 14: An oral history of Tony Butler's eye-opening 2003 state-title game

Oak Creek pitcher Tony Butler on his way to pitching a shutout over Cudahy in the 2005 WIAA playoffs.(Photo: Jack Orton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

After the Super Tuesday game experience, I wanted to try the oral history format again, and so I dove in on the 2003 summer baseball state championship game. You can certainly make a case for anyone you please, but for my money, Oak Creek's Tony Butler is the greatest pitcher in Wisconsin prep history, and his strong showing as a freshman at rainy Bukolt Park in Stevens Point was the perfect jump-start to the dazzling career that would follow. The Knights went on to win three state titles, and Butler wound up drafted by the Seattle Mariners. The pro career that followed was arduous, and I also spent a long time talking to Butler about what went wrong during his days in the minors.

It's particularly timely now, since Oak Creek has since announced that it would be leaving the summer circuit in 2019, one of several programs opting to do so. It appears summer baseball may be on its way out.

I even had a chance to chat with former Brewers manager Doug Melvin for the oral history. His son, Cory, had a big home run for Homestead that made things interesting against Oak Creek all the way up until the final out.

Casey Bednarski lines up a kickoff for Minnesota State in Mankato. The Oconomowoc native kicked a conference-record 63-yard field goal on Sept. 9.(Photo: Submitted photo by Minnesota State)

There's a fascination I have with the 2013 football game between Oconomowoc and Wisconsin Lutheran that ended with OHS winning, 84-82. It's the craziest sporting event I've seen in person, and I've gone back to that well a bunch of times to tell the story in a new way again.

One of the more subtle storylines from that game was Casey Bednarski, a kicker with a booming foot who landed nothing but touchbacks in the game, forcing Wisco to travel the maximum amount of distance for its touchdowns. To me, it was a key reason Wisco simply ran out of gas at the end of the game.

I had forgotten about Bednarski until he resurfaced with a great story and an amazing accomplishment. He had been working at Rosati's Pizza in Oconomowoc before connecting with a junior college, then ending up at Minnesota State-Mankato. He booted a conference-record 63-yarder, just 2 yards shy of the NCAA Division II record.

Nov. 16: Joe Thomas looks back at 2002 title game

Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas sits on the bench during an NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. The Packers won 27-21 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard) ORG XMIT: CDS(Photo: AP)

Look, I'm not going to lie to you. Joe Thomas is easily my favorite athlete not currently wearing the threads of a Wisconsin pro sports team. I think he's fantastic. I got a jersey of his for Christmas. I've been writing long enough to avoid that star-struck feeling, but it was an all-out thrill to talk to this guy.

The Brookfield Central graduate, a future Hall of Famer with the Cleveland Browns, has set the standard for offensive linemen in the NFL. Injury slowed him for the first time in his career in 2017, but his personality has been given even more time to shine through on social media. His mix of advocacy and self-deprecating humor showcases his thoughtfulness and suggests he's going to have a long and fruitful career after he plays.

I spoke to him because, 15 years after his team went to the state final, Brookfield Central was again heading back, part of a successful run for area football teams (Lake Country Lutheran and New Berlin Eisenhower also reached the final and took second).

Six amazing performances you may have missed

Pewaukee pitcher Patrick Tomfohrde was the player of the year in the Woodland Conference West Division.(Photo: Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

We've documented many of the best performances from our area in our sports year in review packages, but here are some you my have missed:

Patrick Tomfohrde of Pewaukee was named Woodland West Player of the Year and led the Pirates to a divisional and league-tourney title. He was playing with an incredible emotional backdrop after his father, Scott, died suddenly May 20. Today, he plays for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Zach Dybul of Mukwonago pulled an unusual double header, taking third at the state track and field meet in the high jump and then grabbing his clubs to play with Mukwonago in the state golf meet three days later.

Jenny Cape of Brookfield Central was in a hospital bed six months before her Lancers soccer team won the state title, unsure of what was next as she battled a rare disease. Not only was she on the field for the title run, but she scored three goals in the two state tournament games.

Cassie Stegner of Menomonee Falls not only became the school's first state swimming champion in 20 years, but won one gold medal from the outside lane and another from the slow heat. The accomplishments are the first for any swimmer at state since 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Cami Davre of Whitefish Bay did something only one other runner in state track and field history has done before, winning the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 in the same meet.

Abby Cavaiani of Kettle Moraine fired an unbelievable round of 60 at The Broadlands in the Classic 8 Conference Tournament, believed to be by far a state-record round. She went on to take second at the state meet.

Arrowhead senior Marvin Marriott celebrates at the finish line with his brother Max close behind during the boys Special Olympics 100 meter dash at the Myrhum Invitational track & field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Arrowhead girls celebrate their 4th consecutive State Championship with a 7-5 victory over Whitefish Bay/Nicolet/Shorewood (WNS) in the 2017 Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation State Championship game at Carroll University on Friday, June 9, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Mukwonago senior Bailey Kroll competes in the pole vault at the Myrhum Invitational track and field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Kroll placed second with a vault of 14 feet.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Pewaukee third baseman Trent Borgardt (33) guns down a runner headed to first during the Land O' Lakes baseball game at Hartland on Sunday, July 23, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Spectators watch as Arrowhead junior Henry Chapman races flat out on the final stretch to secure a second place finish in the Classic 8 Conference Championship cross country meet at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

Members of the Brookfield Police post the colors during the national anthem prior to the football game between Brookfield East and visiting Brookfield Central on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

Brookfield Central quarterback Drew Leszczynski (2) throws a touchdown pass on a fake field goal play to end the first half at Brookfield East on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now News Group, Scott Ash/Now News Group

New Berlin West junior Daily Albino competes in the pole vault at the Woodland Conference Championships track and field meet in Pewaukee on Tuesday, May 16. Albino won the conference title and then went on to qualify for state with a sectional title.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Wauwatosa West senior Paris Howell competes in the long jump at the Woodland Conference Championships track & field meet in Pewaukee on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. Howell finished third with a jump of 21-04.25.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group, Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Girls varsity runners burst off the starting line for the Classic 8 Conference Championship cross country meet at Lake Denoon Middle School in Muskego on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now News Group

Oconomowoc senior Hayden Matheny competes in the pole vault at the Myrhum Invitational track and field meet in Hartland on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Matheny set a school record in regional competition May 23.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Shorewood's Abbey Drake (24) and Whitefish Bay's Taylor Kerwin (00) collide as they battle for control of the ball during their game at Shorewood High School Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in Shorewood, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South's Armoni Brown competes in the Long Jump Event of the West Allis Nathan Hale Mondo Invitational Track and Field Meet held at West Allis Nathan Hale High School Saturday, April 15, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

New Berlin West's Aubrey Tarmann (8) and Greendale's Desa Vorkapich collide as they battle for control of the ball during the varsity teams game at Greendale High School Tuesday, April 25, 2017, in Greendale, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West's Jayden Wollenberg warms-up in the Pole Vault Event before the start of the West Allis Nathan Hale Mondo Invitational Track and Field Meet held at West Allis Nathan Hale High School Saturday, April 15, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay's Michael Kirkendoll reacts as he comes up short afte his heat was stopped due to a timing problem in the 55 Meter Hurdles Event of the Wangerin Track and Field Invitational held in Whitefish Bay High School Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Cedarburg's Clayton Van Tassel (24) encounters some stiff defense from La Crosse Central's Jordan Davis during the WIAA Division 2 state championship game on March 18 at the Kohl Center in Madison.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Cedarburg's Jared Short reacts on the court following the teams Division 2 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Championship Game against La Crosse Central in the UW Kohl Center Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Arrowhead's Ben Seefeld reacts on the bench duing the closing seconds of the teams Division 1 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Championship Game against Stevens Point in the UW Kohl Center Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central Head Coach Dan Wandrey shouts to his playes during the teams Division 1 WIAA Boys State Basketball Tournament Semi-Final Game against Arrowhead in the UW Kohl Center Friday, March 17, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central's Jack Brady reacts after taking his turn cutting down the net following the teams WIAA Sectional Final game against Milwaukee Vincent in West Allis Central High School Saturday, March 11, 2017, in West Allis, Wisconsin. Central won the game and will play in the WIAA State Tournament at 8:15 PM Friday in the UW Madison Kohl Center.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

The Oak Creek bench reacts as they score over Brookfield Central during the teams WIAA sectional semifinal game in Milwaukee South High School Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Brookfield Central Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Mallory Liebl shouts to her players during the second half of the teams WIAA Sectional Final Game against Oak Creek in Milwaukee South High School Thursday, March 2, 2017, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Arrowhead players Ben Beversdorf and Caleb Beversdorf skate back to the bench following their overtime loss to the Waukesha wings in the WIAA State quarterfinal game at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison Thursday, March 2, 2017. Waukesha won the game 2-1 in overtime on a goal by Ben Sorge.
Todd Ponath/Now Media Group

Waukesha forward Chad Larson (left) celebrates his goal with Wyatt Wilderman during the WIAA State quarterfinal game at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on Thursday, March 2, 2017. Waukesha won the game, 2-1, in overtime on a goal by Ben Sorge.
Todd Ponath/Now Media Group

Greendale Cheerleaders react as Waukesha North's Kiara Ramirez goes out of bounds during their WIAA Regional Game in Greendale High School Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, in Greendale, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial Swim Coach Blaine Carlson and members of his team jump into the pool following the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin Madison Natatorium Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha South/Catholic Memorial's Caleb Blischke reacts in the pool after the 400 freestyle relay event of the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Natatorium on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Muskego's Jack Rohlinger gathers his thoughts before the start of the 50 Freestyle Event of the WIAA Division 1 Boys State Swim Meet in the University of Wisconsin Madison Natatorium Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Madison, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Wauwatosa's Danny Larson blows a kiss to an unseen spectator following the 200 freestyle at the WIAA Division 1 boys state swim meet in the University of Wisconsin Natatorium on Feb. 18.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West/Mukwonago's Nick Gerum competes in the 200 IM Event of the W.I.A.A. Boys Sectional Swim Meet held in Waukesha South High School Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Waukesha West/Mukwonago's Nick Gerum competes in the 200 IM Event of the W.I.A.A. Boys Sectional Swim Meet held in Waukesha South High School Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay's Gunnar Stock attempts to keep the ball in-bounds during his game against Nicolet in Whitefish Bay High School Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

Whitnall's Helen Smasal (left) and Greenfield's Ratka Karac battle for possession of the ball in the Falcons' 68-57 triumph on Jan. 6. Karac led the Hustlin' Hawks with 23 points.
Michael T. McLoone for Now Media

Wauwatosa East's Ke'Andre Griffin attempts to keep the ball in-bounds during his teams game against Racine Park in Wauwatosa East High School Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Peter Zuzga/Now Media Group

The Muskego Varsity Cheerleading squad watch a teammate compete as an individual before the A Table judges during the Greenfield Extreme Cheerleading Competition hosted by Greenfield High School Cheerleaders on Jan. 28.
C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

Coach Bob Maronde hands a WIAA Division 2 Sectional plaque to the Cudhay Girls basketball team follwing its 43-34 win over Wauwatosa East at Brown Deer High School on March 4.
C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

Sydney Halstead and the Wauwatosa East Girls Soccer team stream out to greet Emma Martin who made the winning penalty kick to defeat Pewaukee in double overtime and 10 penalty kicks in a WIAA Division 2 sectional win on June 10 and advancement to State competition on Friday, June 16.
C.T. Kruger/Now Media Group

The start of the second heat of the 200-meter freestyle relay during the Whitnall Falcon FunFest Invitational on Aug. 19 at the Village Club in Greendale, the season's only outdoor swim meet.
C.T. Kruger/Now News Group

Waukesha West's Aric Booth heads the ball away from Oregon's Collin Bjerke during WIAA Division 2 State semifinal play on Nov. 2. at Uihlein Soccer Park. Waukesha West played to a 2-2 tie in regulation play against Oregon, tied 1-1 in two overtime periods, and lost 4-3 in penalty kicks.
C.T. Kruger/Now News Group

Jacob Blanco of Whitnall/Greendale struggles to get out of the hold of Mukwonagos Tyris Sinlapakone in the 132lbs class during the WIAA Wrestling Regional Meet at Nathan Hale high school. 11 Feb 2017
Kenny Yoo for Now Media Group

Wauwatosa East sophomore Sydney Halstead (10) tries to contain Whitefish Bay's Taylor Kerwin (00) during the WIAA Division 2 girls state soccer championship at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Kerwin scored three goals in the game, giving her the first hat trick in Division 2 state championship history.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay seniors Daria Ghorbanpoor (left) and Taylor Kerwin (00) celebrate scoring the first goal during the WIAA division 2 girls state soccer semifinal against Oregon at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Friday, June 16, 2017. Ghorbanpoor scored in the 43rd minute after the initial shot by Kerwin was blocked.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Whitefish Bay players storm the field after winning the WIAA Division 2 girls state soccer championship 5-1 over Wauwatosa East at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Saturday, June 17, 2017.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group

Pewaukee pitcher Patrick Tomfohrde (14) looks skyward after defeating Greendale 11-0 at home on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The gesture was to his late father, Scott, who passed away on May 20 from a major stroke. The win secured a share of the Woodland West conference championship for Pewaukee.
Scott Ash/Now Media Group